No, I didn’t see this coming. No, I’m not going to pretend to have all the answers about new General Manager Dennis Hickey. We’ll all have to wait for that. What I can tell you is this: The importance of this being the right choice, and of Hickey making the right moves, can not be overstated.

This is a crucial time for this franchise. The roster is filled with potential and hope. The head coach and quarterback will both be entering their third seasons. But there is work to be done and decisions to be made. There is an offensive line that needs a new look. There are questions at running back and at linebacker and throughout a roster that needs upgrading. There is free agency and the draft and the potential of trades and so many different things that will go into shaping what the 2014 Dolphins are all about.

Dennis Hickey has a huge challenge in front of him. There is little time for introductions, little time to do much of anything other than seize this unique opportunity and jump head-first into all the various responsibilities that define his job.

It is premature to judge Dennis Hickey at this early date, just as it does little good to spend too much time focusing on what transpired during the interview process. That is all yesterday’s news and right now there is simply no time for that. This is a crucial offseason. The Dolphins must focus on where they are going; not where they have been.

The bottom line is this: Hickey will be judged the same way Jeff Ireland was judged. He’ll be judged on who he brings in and who he lets go. He’ll be judged by the draft picks he compiles and by the bold moves that he makes. He’ll be judged by free agency and trades. Mostly, though, he’ll be judged by wins and losses and playoff appearances. And, in truth, that’s exactly the way it needs to be.

The fact that Hickey has spent the last 18 years with the Tampa Bay Bucs, serving a variety of personnel roles, only tells you that he has the training necessary for this position. He was one of the key principals in putting together the 2002 Super Bowl champion Bucs and has shown a good ability to evaluate both free agents and draft picks. Now, he must take everything he has learned over those 18 years and apply it to the most imposing challenge of his professional life.

Now, he must produce. And that, far more than any of the other outside variables, will define whether Stephen Ross made a prudent hire.

Personally, I’m just glad the process is over and glad that the Dolphins are bringing in someone with new ideas and a different perspective. I’m anxious to see Hickey’s strategies. The way he approaches free agency. The manner he goes about compiling a draft class. His general philosophy on procuring talent.

There is no need at this juncture to chronicle the mistakes of past regimes. If there weren’t mistakes, those people would probably still be here. Change was mandatory because mediocrity wasn’t satisfactory. What’s important now is that we give Hickey the benefit of the doubt and a real chance to prove himself.

Much has been made during the interview process of the relationship between the head coach and general manager. Who is the boss? Who listens to whom? But the important thing, from my perspective, is that Joe Philbin and Hickey work as one and share similar goals and philosophies. They need to exchange ideas and evaluate differences. They need to form conclusions together and build a real, deep trust.

The only thing that should matter is improving the product on the field. If that’s what this relationship between Hickey and Philbin becomes then hierarchy becomes far less significant. That’s what I’m hoping to see.

So be glad that the process is over, that the Dolphins can now move on to other things, like piecing together an improved roster for next season. As I said earlier, it really doesn’t matter whether you know of Dennis Hickey or have a real conviction about his long-term potential.

All that matters now is that Hickey gives the Dolphins what they clearly need: The right decisions. The right players. At the end of the day, that’s how he’ll be judged and should be judged.

Please Note:
The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed by The Finsiders Blog represent those of individual writers, and unless quoted or clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions, policies or desires of the Miami Dolphins organization, front office, coaches and executives. Writers' views are formulated independently from any inside information and/or conversation with Dolphins officials, including the coaches and scouts, unless otherwise noted.

Andy, Thank you for staying focused and on point. Unfortunately most of the sports writers in this city and specially Salguero at the Herald all they do is cry over spilled milk, and report on gossip and innuendos. Sources they call it. Whatever happened to professional sportswriters and real newspapers. Whatever decisions come out of Davie we shouldn’t second guess them. This is the time to get behind whoever they chose and build a winning team. I’m tired of all this tabloid little-girl bickering. Armando if I were Stephen Ross I would ban you from the team headquarters and stadium. Stephen Ross has a right to choose “Pluto” to run his team if that’s is his wish. You are the source of all this rebellion. Don’t be so high on yourself, the reason people read your column is because it’s free. Dude, you can’t even spell. Get with the program or get out of town.

Well I hope he does the job and knows how to find hidden as well as obvious talent, I understand from my sources at the Bucs that he is a quiet guy who keeps to himself, it is yet to be seen if that is a good thing or not for a GM.

Andy,
First, Hickey was about to be fired from Tampa. Second, what kind of free agents will want to come here when even some Dolphin players are wanting to leave. Do you not see that this organization is a national joke anymore. We will be used in the free agency for leverage to acquire more money from the free agents team. When you tell an employer that you do not want a promotion and more money (GM candidates), then there is definitely something wrong with your company.

I posted this comment earlier in reply to another comment, but I can’t find it. So, I may be repeating myself. If so, sorry, but here it goes: The other prospective GM’s didn’t except the job because they wanted to have power beyond what Ross was willing to give. Esp. in the ability to fire Philbin right away. Whether you like it or not, Ross stuck to his plan. He wanted Philbin to be given more time to prove himself, and those of his coaching staff. He also made this very clear before any interviews took place. These prospects thought that they could change his mind, and he didn’t. They hired a GM that was willing to come in and take over without blowing up the whole front office and coaching staff. So really, they did get their man. Time will tell if He was right, but hey, he had a plan, and he stuck with it.

How does 60% of the supposed fan base try to say that the owner is wrong before his hire has even had a single game, or 1/4 season to see whether he’s hit or miss with his decisions (that should be evidenced by his experience). Half the so called fans cant even wait until the season starts to begin pissing and moaning about, “somethings wrong with the new GM. Theres a reason he never made GM with Tampa!” Seriously people? This is your team and a place for the fan base and you choose to spew negative energy and bash the decisions being made that have been proven to be essential?! How are you gonna bitch and moan about ireland, and then bitch and moan about his replacement before hes had a chance to make any decisions? Complete idiocy! If youre a real fan, support whats trying to be done instead of bringing pessimism! We’re all tired of losing seasons, but our attitudes swaying negatively, wont better the situation

I find it embarrassing and appalling how Miami fans are reacting to the hiring of Dennis Hickey. You don’t even realize that many of the Miami beat writers got you spun up about that guy or another and then reported like it was the end of the world they turned the job down. In two instances, (Dawson and Farmer).. you had two men who haven’t even ran an NFL draft from the GM chair in they’re lives…. Asking Ross to turn the entire decision making process over to them including the power to fire a HC. What on Earth makes ANY of you think Farmer or Dawson deserve or have proven they are ready for that kind of responsibility..? You think Miami has problems..? You think Miami has wasted time with the former GM..? You think your angry NOW…?
Had Ross given over what those two men were asking for…. After reading what both have and have NOT done…. I would have been FURIOUS. The very LAST THING the Miami Dolphins need is an unproven, under experienced, and over reaching knucklehead making decisions concerning a franchise that right now needs experience and “I’ve been there and done that” savvy….. Dennis Hickey offers that sort of experience. The roster in Tampa is LOADED with Dennis Hickey draft picks. The record they have had for a couple of years reflects the inability of a now fired coach to place the right scheme under those players. To have Darrel Revis running in Zone coverage is a sin. So buck up…. Miami fans. Get behinds our new man…. Get behind our team…. Role or die, in it to the end.

I agree with Jared. I my self am a christian and believe that prayer can change things. If you are a true fan ,then be positive. the more that we believe and pray for success then it will come to manifest.

Andy Cohen has been wrong since Shula left, bottom line , The Miami fans are sick and tired of losing , were sick and tired of changing coaches , players and schemes like most people change socks and underwear and IF this guy can not fix it , then hes not the man for the job , that’s the way I see it – doesn’t get any simpler than that

So the hiring process for GM was to keep going DOWN the list until someone said “yes?” There’s probably a good reason that the top two choices both wanted to get rid of Philbin. That alone should’ve told Ross something. He is loyal to a fault and it will continue to set this once-proud franchise back. If would be funny if it wasn’t so sad.

The Fins are truly a good team and have a lot of upside as we have seen this past year but their inconsistencies are off the roof. Games against Carolina, Buffalo (early in the year), and of course the fat GOOSE EGGS laid in the last two weeks are what oftentimes allow myself to become apathetic to this team. 7-9 and 8-8 doesn’t cut it. Hopefully this new regime can really turn things around.

Been a fan for over 40 years can’t give up now! I’m on the ropes with this guy? But he has done very well with players on the Bucs…it’s that the coaching was very bad!! Come on Revis!! a good pick! and their running game is excellent…so he does have an ear to whats happening, I only hope he can bring us the things we need before Christmas! A great running back and an O-Line to block! and then we can go down the line on our list!! Fin Fans have had it..so there is little room for mistakes next year, or you will see an empty stadium!

DieHard Miama Fan; live in tampa since 95′. Hickey is a middle-man; i cant think of two times his name has come up in football discussions in the tampa area.. AND I DRANK regularly with R.Morris and countless players.. Another poor performance for OUR future. I am by no means a scout guru; but my phins team would be littered with players like Gore, Roethlisberger. Burress. Wilfork, and a few others we could have selected in their respective years and ALL chosen after our pick. (no hindsight, i liked each of these players for our team; and the only time t.ginn would have seen miami would have been during the offseason to visit beaches) SMH

Look, I’m as big a Dolphins fan as anyone. I’ve suffered watching games on the field, and I’ve suffered watching the indignities off of it.

I get the feeling that articles cannot be critical of the Dolphins organization on the Dolphins website because it’s a promotional tool. It’s a way to fill the seats and fill the cash registers. Fine. Then let’s call a spade a spade then. This is a puff piece. Everything on this site is a puff piece. It has to be.

Andy Cohen is making the argument that we should ignore the issues that led up to Hickey’s hiring. Hickey is hired. We should look forward, not backward. But there’s a real problem with that mentality. If we don’t root out the cause of the problem(s), it will continue to be a problem. Over and over and over again. Harbaugh, Cowher, Manning, Farmer, Caserio, Xanders.

Why do the Miami Dolphins have an image problem? Why do big name QBs, big name coaches, and big name executives want nothing to do with Miami? Why? The first step in solving a problem is admitting there is one. I have feeling that the premise cannot be acknowledged on this site and thus we won’t get an answer here.

Trade up for Greg Robinson and be done with it. Tampa is at 7 and makes a perfect trade partner. Sign Brendon Albert and get us a guard in the draft to groom. Another LB and WR or a bruising RB would be nice as well. Maybe even a TE to add to Clay. Bottom line is we need to get rid of any negativity around this team and that starts by supporting everything they do and not questioning it. It was a good sign to see how well we did considering the scandal and key injuries to the offense. Gibson will be back but Keller and Martin and Incognito are as good as gone. They were onto something had we been more fortunate. Lets re-load and go again at the playoffs. Last year was entertaining and this year should be as well. We all got our moneys worth so suck it up and get behind them.

Hey we got to stay together. Lets work with the cards we where dealt. who knows ? 2 game improvement we in play offs . We all know we are a better team than those 2 last games . Stand up Dolphins fans .

I like how this all turned out when I think about it for many reasons. 1- I believe that most of the candidates turned the position down because they want more control over all decisions i.e. firing Philbin in 2015 if need be, which means a new phase of rebuilding, which means no playoff expectations for at least 2 more years. 2- Maybe the candidates don’t like the fact that Philbin has a big part on who is on the team like other franchises (big reason why Jeff Fisher is not with us today and rightfully so). Philbin did not want Incognito on the team and Ireland vetoed that decision. Jake Long left and the whole Jonathan Martin situation is one reason that hurt the Dolphins from making the playoffs this year (in my opinion the biggest reason of many). Not Incognito’s fault for the O Line dysfunction but he took the blame. 3- Philbin and Hickey both have SB rings.

If I may write a comment here. I have heard many comment on the lack of leadership on Owner, and GM. Let me say, When Coach Shula was in his last years, you so called fans, wanted him to step down because the game has pasted him by, and hooped and holler when J Johnson became head coach, and D.W. and then we got good ole Bill who Bailed on us, we did no better than when Don Shula was coach, Remember we never had a losing season under Don Shula, all the football brains wanted these football know it alls and the team got worse. Now Owner Ross decided to make a patient well informed decision and this is what he came up with. lets give him time and patients and see how this all pans out, we have listen to enough to know it alls, let him make his own decision.

What a joke Steve Ross has become. He has panicked to the point where everyone has to report to him thus alienating more worthy candidates. Wasn’t it Parcells that said if your going to buy the groceries you better let me cook the meal? This organization is run like a corporation which it’s not. Ross needs to sell the team and concentrate on his real estate business. He clearly knows nothing about the NFl

Translation: If the Dolphins want a top GM, they have to give him assurances he’s running the show. Instead, two people involved in the process said they aren’t quite sure what the structure of the new GM is. He will report to Ross, yes. But will vice president of football operations Dawn Aponte answer to the new GM or be over the new GM? It has nothing to do with what anyone thinks of Aponte. It’s having control of your decisions. It’s also understanding, again, the importance of the GM job.

Life tome dolphins fan! Change is good weather he was the 1st choice or last. It was time for Ireland to go! This dude needed a change and we need to get behind him 100% Qit complaining because its out of our control and grt behimd the Phins 100% Only time will tell but Im giving them the benifit of the doubt. To pass up a promotion and a chance to be a hero helping turn Miami into winners I say shame on all who were scared to take a chance. Go Phins!

Cohen is a tool for the Dolphins. How can anyone write this stuff? He was chosen,because everyone else turned them down. There is major dysfunction in Davie. They have a coach who the players don’t trust and now have a GM from a losing franchise. Brilliant.

Hopefully Mr Hickey is a humble man able to check his ego back in Tampa .. because it seems pretty obvious that Joe Philbin will have some control with player personal. Otherwise, I’m sure Philbin would have resigned due to having to fire his friend/mentor (tough but best decision for team moving forward) – I hope both guys become great friends and have tons of success together for a really long time. Time to win the AFC East.

Now is the time to get behind Hickey and support him. Whether he was your choice for GM or not, the fact is he’s here. He is our GM and we need to give him time to do his job without complaining about his every move. Give the man time to prove himself. This fan base hasn’t exactly been known for having patience, but that is something that we as fans need to employ for a season or two to allow this man the time he needs. He spent 18 years in Tampa Bay. And even though Tampa Bay hasn’t been known as a power house in that time, they do have a lot of talent acquired in that time. Just spending 18 years in one organization says a lot about the mans character, experience, and ability. Lets all stand behind him and support him and let him show us what he can do. Welcome to Miami, Mr. Hickey. Looking forward to supporting you and your staff.

The thing about Hickey is he brought great talent to the Bucs. The Bucs roster is by no means bereft of talent, it was just coached horribly. Hopefully, he can bring us an o Line to start with, first thing is first.

Time will tell INDEED. I don;t like it, but Ross HAS TO look inwardly as to why sooooooooo many quality individuals are turning down his organization. Miami has GREAT WEATHER. Solid Fan Base, and a decent roster. Something has to CHANE. I hope they have good success.

Andy,
I was looking forward to your piece on this hew hiring and share your thoughts. As usual, they offer hope and a look to the future. Keep up the great work. Now let’s make that O Line a priority and the running game and Tannehill’s performance will show some nice improvements.